Opposition whip moots civil partnerships

Updated
September 20, 2012 08:24:00

The chief Opposition whip says he's dusted off a civil partnerships bill after the lower house of Parliament yesterday voted against same sex marriage. Warren Entsch says he'll now discuss the idea of civil partnerships with the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and his other colleagues before making a decision on whether to bring it before Parliament.

TONY EASTLEY: The chief Opposition whip says he's dusted off a civil partnerships bill after the Lower House of Parliament yesterday voted against same sex marriage.

Warren Entsch says his previously drafted bill has been sitting in his bottom drawer ready to go.

He says he'll now discuss the idea of civil partnerships with the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and his other colleagues before making a decision on whether to bring the bill before Parliament.

Mr Entsch is speaking here to Samantha Hawley.

WARREN ENTSCH: What I've drafted is actually a civil partnerships bill. It's two persons who are in a relationship as a couple regardless of their sex and who meet the eligibility criteria.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: Because some people argue of course that's second rate.

WARREN ENTSCH: Yeah and look you're always going to have those that will continue to argue that. But there's also a lot of people out there and not necessarily in the gay community that'd be quite happy to take up this solution as an alternative.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: So you think that this would have a better chance of getting up?

WARREN ENTSCH: I personally think it will. I think that pushing on the marriage debate at this point is a bridge too far.

I've always been reluctant to engage in that debate because I think there are a whole lot of other issues out there that desperately need addressing because as soon as the 'M' word is mentioned you get, it's, everything else seems to disappear into the ether.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: Is the civil partnerships bill something that Tony Abbott will support? Has he given you an indication on that?

WARREN ENTSCH: Well I've had some discussion with Tony. I told him I was not intending to put this up prior to the vote.

I've indicated to Tony that we need to have a sit down and have a chat and I'm looking forward to doing that at some time in the near future.

I've just had it sitting in my drawer but I have it here in my hand now. I've been going through it again. I know that a lot of colleagues are very particularly keen in having a look at this.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: And so how soon could you bring it forward?

WARREN ENTSCH: Well I don't know. I mean I am going to have to talk to my friends from the marriage equity coalition as well.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: But given that there is some momentum now...

WARREN ENTSCH: Well we've got a few weeks there. We haven't got that many more parliamentary sittings weeks so I'll have to see how we fit it in.

But as I said, I've already got it dusted and out of the drawer. I had it out immediately after the vote. I've already spoken to a number of colleagues. But I need these other conversations need to be had and I'll be having them as soon as I can.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: Alright well we'll have to ask you obviously about Cory Bernardi's comments. Your response?

WARREN ENTSCH: Well all I can say, totally inappropriate but I mean probably no less inappropriate than some of the stuff that's been peddled by others outside of the Parliament as well.

I applaud Tony Abbott's very quick and appropriate action in dealing with the problem.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: He labelled, Tony Abbott labelled the comments as ill-disciplined and obviously...

WARREN ENTSCH: Well he went further too in the House. He just said it was totally inappropriate.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: Do you think he went far enough? I mean ill-disciplined is...

WARREN ENTSCH: Well it cost him his parliamentary, his executive position. Full marks to him, I applaud him for that.